5⃣ Today's top stories: 🥐Manolo hypes derby, Carvajal returns

1 week ago 2

This Saturday, January 3rd, comes packed with news, but with special attention on the Espanyol-Barcelona match that closes the day in La Liga.

So let's take a look at the five news stories you can't miss to start the day...

Manolo González, not mincing words before the derby

📸 Alex Caparros - 2025 Getty Images

For days now, it's been known that the Espanyol-Barcelona match is going to be an especially heated derby. This is due to two things: how heated previous derbies have been and the 'Joan García Case'.

The Espanyol-Barça rivalry has gained a lot of intensity in recent encounters, once with Piqué involved, then with Lamine Yamal, and recently with the ultras from Espanyol storming the pitch to attack the Barça squad.

If that weren't enough, things have gotten even more heated with Joan García's departure to Barcelona for the price of his release clause, something Espanyol did not expect—nor did anyone else.

📸 Mike Hewitt - 2025 Getty Images

Before all this, Manolo González spoke at a press conference and was very blunt: "I've been coaching for a year and a bit, almost two, and we haven't killed anyone here. I don't understand these stories (...) The fans are going to put on the pressure, no one is coming with bouquets of roses. Just like when we go to Camp Nou and they chant 'to Segunda', nothing happens... these are normal things. There's a lot of fuss about everything, maybe they're waiting for something to happen to harm Espanyol. It makes no sense. I'd rather focus on sporting matters."

And he continued: "People need to be aware that the first to be harmed is the club if something happens that shouldn't. The crowd needs to stay calm and not get involved. It seems like they're waiting for Espanyol to mess up so they can intervene somehow. And lessons... please, no. I have many friends who are Barça fans. When Figo came to Camp Nou... they're in no position to lecture anyone."

He then spoke about the referee: "I think it's a mistake. These things don't make much sense. It creates controversy where there wasn't any. Just as I make decisions, the CTA does too, and I hope it doesn't backfire. It's a mistake, it could have been avoided. The pressure for this match, let's hope it doesn't backfire. I don't think it's necessary, it's putting pressure on him that, whatever he does, will come back at him. If in a normal match he's already scrutinized, imagine... if Espanyol benefits, it's better to leave Catalonia."

Cerezo: "With Cholo we're going to win the Champions League"

📸 JAVIER SORIANO - AFP or licensors

Enrique Cerezo gave an interview to the newspaper 'AS' where he reviewed the current situation of Atlético de Madrid.

📸 JAVIER SORIANO - AFP or licensors

The most notable thing was how much he trusts Cholo Simeone to win the Champions League: "Winning a Champions League is incredibly difficult for any team. But I'm convinced that with Cholo we're going to do it. With Simeone and this team, we can do it. I'm optimistic. Why can't we win the European Cup? There are good teams, yes, but we're also a good team. Maybe we just need a bit of luck. We're going for it. To show that we're demanding and want titles. We want that very important title, the one we don't have yet."

Carvajal is close to returning

📸 Denis Doyle - 2025 Getty Images

The Madrid right-back, who has missed much of the season due to injuries, is already training with the rest of his teammates and is pushing to be ready for the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals.

All this while the future of the Madridista remains very much open. Real Madrid needs a right-back, it's already known that Fede Valverde is not comfortable in that position and Alexander-Arnold has yet to show his best form. With all this, MLS is an option for the Leganés native.

The winter transfer market starts strong in Europe

The winter market opened this past January 1st, but the processing of many transfers didn't come through until yesterday, so several arrivals and departures were announced.

The most notable are: Thiago Borbas (Bragantino) to Oviedo, Thiago Fernández signs for Villarreal, Fullkrug arrives on loan with an option to buy at Milan, Pascal Gross leaves Dortmund for Brighton, Manor Salomon ends his loan at Villarreal and goes to Fiorentina, while Carlos Martín leaves Atleti and goes on loan to Rayo Vallecano.